Following the tensions resulting from the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in July 1974, the United Nations Security Council intervened to prevent further escalation of violence between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot populations. The resolution authorized the creation of a buffer zone, known as the Green Line, which physically divided the island into two distinct zones. The area along the Green Line is monitored by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), established to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The Green Line runs across the capital city of Nicosia, making it the only divided capital in Europe. Its establishment marked a significant moment in the ongoing struggle for control and governance over Cyprus, leading to long-term implications for inter-communal relations on the island. The UNFICYP has been instrumental in maintaining peace and helping to stabilize the situation in Cyprus for decades following this intervention, despite ongoing tensions between the communities.

The establishment of the Green Line was met with mixed reactions among the local populations. For many, it represented a necessary measure to halt violence and provide humanitarian relief. Others, however, resisted the idea of partition, viewing it as a failure of diplomacy that solidified division instead of fostering reunification. The Green Line has been marked by watchtowers, barriers, and patrols, creating a physical reminder of the island’s divided past and present. Over the years, the situation has evolved with various attempts at negotiations for a comprehensive settlement between the two communities, although none have fully succeeded.

The impact of the UN's efforts through UNFICYP has been a complex interplay of maintaining peace while navigating the challenging dynamics of nationalism and identity on the island. The situation remains delicate, with political and social implications for peace in the region and beyond. The presence of UNFICYP and the Green Line serves not only as a security measure but also as a symbol of the unresolved conflict and the persistent hope for reconciliation.